Cascade River State Park

Fly Fishing

Fishing is a popular activity on the Cascade River. In late summer and early fall, Chinook and pink salmon swim upriver to spawn. This phenomenon attracts many anglers, as well as visitors who come to see hundreds of fish swimming upstream. Rainbow and brook trout are also found in the Cascade River.

River Overlook

Many overlooks exist along the Cascade River and offer visitors the safest and most scenic views. Stand above the Cascade Falls at this overlook and feel the force of the tumbling water below.

Cascade River

Over many years, the Cascade River has carved its way through rocky terrain and formed high cliffs here. Although this area is scenic, visitors are reminded to be very careful when approaching the cliff edges. These rocky cliffs can be very slippery.

Fishing

Grab a pole and try your hand at fishing the Cascade River. Upstream from Cascade Falls anglers enjoy fishing for brook trout. Rainbow trout, pink salmon, and Chinook salmon can also be found in the river. Don’t forget to bring your fishing license and trout stamp!

Walking Bridge

A wooden walking bridge spans the Cascade River and offers excellent views of the cascades upstream and the river downstream. The stunning scenery makes this a popular stop for many visitors.

Cascades Overlook

The Cascades, a series of five small waterfalls, are the main attraction and namesake of this river. Don’t forget to bring your camera for beautiful pictures of this unique area.

The Cascades

Several small trails branch off from the main river trail to showcase scenic views. This trail winds through the trees, ending at a rocky outcropping between two of the small waterfalls that make up the Cascades.

Artist on River

The beautiful scenery along the Cascade River is inspiring for many visitors. Standing amongst rocks on the water’s edge, an artist paints the river during the low water season of the fall.

Geocaching

Geocaching has become a popular activity at Cascade River State Park. Bring your own GPS unit and join in the fun! While GPS units are not available to check-out at this park, you can pick up a map to guide you in your exploration. Stop by the park office to get some great hiking ideas.

Lookout Mountain Overlook

Lookout Mountain is a popular 3.5 mile looped trail that leads to an overlook with an excellent view of Lake Superior, the Cascade River Valley, and the Sawtooth Mountain Range. Grab your hiking boots and get ready for a beautiful hike through birch, spruce, and fir. The trail will take you from the day-use parking area at 600 feet above sea level to the overlook at 1,200 feet above sea level.

Lookout Mountain Campsite

Five backpack sites are scattered throughout Cascade River State Park. This site (BP05) sits atop Lookout Mountain and is approximately a 1.5 mile hike from the designated parking area. This site is just steps from the overlook and offers a fire ring, picnic table, bear box, three sided shelter, and backcountry latrine. Sunsets here are spectacular.

Campground

The park campground is open year-round with showers and flush toilets available seasonally. Campers can choose from 21 electric sites, 19 non-electric sites, 2 group campsites, and 5 hike-in backpack sites. The campground fills up quickly in the summer and fall months.

Campground Host Site

Campground hosts are available June through September to answer any questions you may have about the park and surrounding area. They also have approved firewood available to purchase when the park office is closed.

Campsite

Campers come to Cascade River State Park to hike, view waterfalls, fish, walk along Lake Superior, or to simply relax by the campfire. Some sites, like this one, even offer a glimpse of Lake Superior.

Trail Center

The trail center is conveniently located near the parking area and across from hiking and cross-country ski trail heads. The cozy, wood-paneled building features picnic tables and a woodstove. Park staff heat the building on weekends during the winter months, but visitors may purchase firewood to burn in the woodstove year-round. The trail center can be rented for the day by contacting the park office.

Cascade River Mouth

The Cascade River is 17 miles long and plunges 120 feet through a deep, twisting gorge in its final quarter-mile stretch to Lake Superior. The result is a spectacular series of cascades for which the river was named. Look for historic rock walls built by the Civilian Conservation Corps near the river’s mouth. Cascade River State Park was the site of a Civilian Conservation Corps camp in the 1930s. Men from the camp built the retaining walls at the wayside rest area facility, as well as trails and a picnic area within the park.

Trail Along Lake Superior

Cascade River State Park contains approximately 1.5 miles of mostly undeveloped Lake Superior shoreline. The Lake Trail runs 1.2 miles along the rocky shoreline and offers scenic lake views for hikers and cross-country skiers.

Picnic Area

The park’s unique picnic area features seven individual spots with a picnic table and fire ring or grill. Five spots are located on the Lake Superior shore and two are nestled amongst cedar trees.

Backpack Campsite

Five backpack sites are scattered throughout Cascade River State Park. This secluded site (BP01) is located on Lake Superior’s shoreline and features a three-sided shelter, picnic table, fire ring, and backcountry latrine. As one of the few campsites on the lake, this is a very popular campsite. Make your reservation soon!

Backpack Campsite Shoreline

Camp at backpack campsite #1 and spend your evening listening to Lake Superior crash against the rocky shoreline just outside your tent. This breath-taking lakeshore scene can be enjoyed just steps from the campsite. Grab a fishing pole, skip a stone, or simply watch the sunset from this unique site.